Iconic Singer Tony Bennett, Master of the American Songbook, Passes Away at 96
Tony Bennett, the iconic singer whose voice became synonymous with the American Songbook, has passed away at the age of 96.
The representative for the singer announced that Bennett died in New York City on Friday morning. Although he had been battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2016, his indomitable spirit led him to continue performing live and releasing new music sporadically. In 2021, at the remarkable age of 95, he achieved a place in the Billboard Top 10 with his second duet album, “Love For Sale,” featuring Lady Gaga. The same year, he bid farewell to his legendary career with two heartwarming nights at Radio City Music Hall.
During the 1950s, Bennett rose to fame as a suave crooner, captivating audiences worldwide with his chart-topping hits on the radio. His stage presence exuded an intimate nightclub charm, a persona he effortlessly carried with him wherever he went, much like his finely tailored suits—age-appropriate, yet perpetually cool.
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Bennett’s musical journey began at the tender age of 20 when he recorded his first songs, including “St. James Infirmary Blues,” with a U.S. Army band in Germany shortly after World War II. Born as Anthony Dominick Benedetto in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, he adopted the name Tony Bennett thanks to Bob Hope. As a child, Bennett’s father, a charismatic opera singer in Italy, instilled a love for music in him. He dropped out of high school to support his family by taking on various odd jobs until he found his calling as a singing waiter in Astoria.
Having studied opera, specifically the bel canto technique, Bennett honed his craft on the G.I. bill. A teacher advised him to emulate instrumentalists’ phrasing to develop his distinctive voice. In 1950, his demo of “The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” landed on the desk of producer Mitch Miller at Columbia Records, marking the beginning of a successful career with millions of records sold and a string of hits over the next decade.
While renowned as a crooner, Bennett’s passion for jazz was undeniable. Although he humbly claimed he was not a jazz singer, his impeccable sense of rhythm and beat endeared him to many musicians, including Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Bennett seized his popularity in the pop music scene to record jazz albums alongside prominent figures like Art Blakey and the Count Basie Orchestra.
The turning point in Bennett’s career came in 1962 when he released the song “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” The song, originally an accidental discovery by his accompanist Ralph Sharon, skyrocketed to international fame, remaining on the U.S. charts for nearly a year and earning Bennett two Grammy Awards.
Sharon says the song that became Bennett’s signature was an accident. Sharon found the sheet music stashed in a drawer, along with some shirts. He packed it before hitting the road.
Sharon says the song that became Bennett’s signature was an accident. Sharon found the sheet music stashed in a drawer, along with some shirts. He packed it before hitting the road.
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Apart from his musical accomplishments, Bennett actively used his fame to support social causes, including the civil rights movement. In 1965, he bravely performed in Montgomery, Alabama, following the violent incident known as “Bloody Sunday,” which deeply affected him. Throughout his life, Bennett stayed true to his style, shying away from the new rock sound and continuing to sing timeless standards. He also made appearances on television, including memorable performances on The Muppet Show, David Letterman, The Simpsons, and MTV’s Unplugged.
The success of his MTV Unplugged appearance in 1994 paved the way for Bennett to connect with a new generation of fans, and he went on to record duets with an array of artists, from Stevie Wonder to his biggest advocate, Lady Gaga. Music was the lifeblood that fueled Bennett’s longevity, and he expressed his profound love for life, wishing he could convey the gift of existence to the entire world.
Beyond music, Bennett also had a passion for painting landscapes and portraits, signing them “Antonio Benedetto.”
The world has lost a true musical legend, but Tony Bennett’s legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who adored his timeless melodies and cherished his profound impact on the world of music.